Broncos Waive OLB Quanterus Smith

The Denver Broncos have waived third-year outside linebacker/defensive end Quanterus Smith, the club announced today. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Smith saw action in 15 regular season games in his time with the Broncos, after being selected in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Western Kentucky.

He essentially redshirted his rookie season, as he recovered from a knee injury suffered during his senior year in college. All 15 of the regular season games he appeared in came in 2014. He accumulated zero sacks, 11 tackles and two passes defensed.

The Broncos had high hopes for Smith, the former Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2012). But he could never turn the corner with his knee. It’s possible the team will try to stash him on the practice squad, but perhaps more likely, they’re planning for life without him.

This could also be a preemptive move to clear roster space in preparation for the 10 selections the team has in the draft this coming week. They likely won’t use all of them on a single player, as that many picks can be used as capital to play the draft.

As for Smith, the Broncos medical staff likely knows more than we about his knee’s prognosis. And it probably isn’t too good. Hopefully, he can get well and rehab and get a shot at continuing his NFL dream—perhaps with another team.

Update

Quanterus Smith failed his physical. He was rehabbing from knee surgery. #9News

The Denver Broncos have waived third-year outside linebacker/defensive end Quanterus Smith, the club announced today. The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Smith saw action in 15 regular season games in his time with the Broncos, after being selected in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Western Kentucky.

He essentially redshirted his rookie season, as he recovered from a knee injury suffered during his senior year in college. All 15 of the regular season games he appeared in came in 2014. He accumulated zero sacks, 11 tackles and two passes defensed.

The Broncos had high hopes for Smith, the former Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2012). But he could never turn the corner with his knee. It’s possible the team will try to stash him on the practice squad, but perhaps more likely, they’re planning for life without him.

This could also be a preemptive move to clear roster space in preparation for the 10 selections the team has in the draft this coming week. They likely won’t use all of them on a single player, as that many picks can be used as capital to play the draft.

As for Smith, the Broncos medical staff likely knows more than we about his knee’s prognosis. And it probably isn’t too good. Hopefully, he can get well and rehab and get a shot at continuing his NFL dream—perhaps with another team.

Quanterus Smith failed his physical. He was rehabbing from knee surgery. #9News